From today the Czech crown jewels are once again on display at Prague Castle. The exhibition “Treasure in the Dark” links the coronation insignia with unique archival items marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the war.
From today, Thursday 18 September, to Monday 29 September, the crown, orb and sceptre will be on display in the Vladislav Hall at Prague Castle. The exhibition is titled “Treasure in the Dark” (“Poklad v temnotě”) and commemorates the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. In addition to the insignia of the Bohemian kings, visitors will find a number of unique archive pieces connected with this period.
Last year almost 47,000 people took the opportunity to admire the symbols of Czech statehood up close. The precious items were taken from the Crown Chamber on Monday 15 September — traditionally by the seven key-bearers.
The first two days of the exhibition were reserved for schoolchildren, before the doors opened to the general public at 9.00 today. The jewels will be on view for the last time on Monday 29 September, before being returned to the Crown Chamber of St Vitus Cathedral. Admission remains free, as in previous years. Opening hours are daily from 09:00 to 17:00.
“By the President’s decision we exhibit the jewels each year. They are a symbol of Czech statehood, and everyone should have the opportunity to see them without a long wait,” explains Veronika Wolf, Head of Culture and Programming at Prague Castle. The exhibition concept is continually refreshed to offer new perspectives. “This year the 80th anniversary of the end of the war inspired us — an event that, naturally, did not leave the strictly guarded treasures untouched.”
Visitors are offered insights into historical documents and objects that illuminate the dramatic context of the war years. On display are, among other things, photographs from the time when Deputy Reich Protector Reinhard Heydrich held some of the keys to the Crown Chamber. Also included is a plan of the chamber in which the jewels were walled up during the bombing of Prague.
Not to be missed is a massive oak chest specially made for the transport of the coronation insignia, as well as the official seals of the then-President Emil Hácha. One of the central exhibits is the original record of Hácha’s meeting with Adolf Hitler in Berlin — just a few hours before the proclamation of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. The unique items come from the archive of the Presidential Chancellery and from the collections of the administration of Prague Castle.
The exhibition is divided into six thematic chapters, which lead visitors step by step through the eventful history.
